The 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR concluded off the East Coast of Australia on August 21, 2023. The exercise brought together the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and the US Navy (USN) for joint training. The exercise comprised two phases: a harbor phase from August 11-15 and a sea phase from August 16-21.
Participating units included ships, submarines, and aircraft from all four navies. The Indian Navy was represented by INS Kolkata, INS Sahyadri, and P8i Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The sea phase saw complex exercises across air, surface, and undersea domains, involving weapon firings and cross-deck helicopter operations. This phase aimed to enhance war-fighting skills and interoperability among the participating navies.
Air assets operated from RAAF Amberley Brisbane, involving P-8I crews from India, Australia, and the US. The seamless integration of air assets demonstrated excellent coordination and interoperability among the maritime patrol aircraft units of the three countries.
Exercise MALABAR reaffirmed the capability of the four navies to operate together effectively and showcased their shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability. The exercise highlighted the cooperation, shared values, and collective ability of the participating nations to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, ensuring peace and security in the region.